Cape Town - World Rugby has announced an amendment to to stipulate that a match cannot restart until a player leaving the field of play for a blood injury or Head Injury Assessment (HIA) has been temporarily replaced.

This follows Wales winger George North's try against England in Cardiff last weekend. North dotted down for a crucial score in Wales' 13-6 victory when the visitors had just 13 men on the park.

England's Anthony Watson was off with a yellow card, while at the same time scrumhalf Willi Heinz had to leave the field for an HIA.

After receiving a penalty, Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar took a quick tap before England could bring on a replacement for Heinz, with North eventually rounding off after a cross-kick.

World Rugby posted on its official website that the amendment, approved by the international federation's executive committee, codifies an area that was previously at the discretion of the referee.

a statement from the governing body read.

Wales' victory also saw them surge to the top of the World Rugby rankings for the first time.